#DGRFave & Review: Hard Limits by @AycartElle

HARD LIMITS
Series: Bowen Boys #4.5
Genre: Contemporary, Erotic Romance
Author: Elle Aycart
Release Date: April 4, 2017

DO NOT READ before Jacked Up.
***MAJOR SPOILERS***

Nico Grabar, head of one of the most ruthless cartels in the world, is in the last stretch of a two-year nightmare, his agenda extremely busy. He has a criminal organization to run. A cover to maintain. A promise to fulfill. Too bad he’s bleeding to death in the middle of nowhere, about to meet his maker on a deserted street. A fitting ending to a bleak existence, really. When a beautiful Vintage bride with racoon eyes and a choke collar, covered from head to military boots in blood, came to him. It looked like the Grim Reaper had gotten a makeover just for him. What an honor.

Who finds a frigging drug lord in serious need of resuscitation while coming back from a bachelorette party at the wee hours? Paige, aka magnet for psychopaths, of course.
The Goth waitress at Rosita’s has already survived a major asshole, narrowly escaping with her life. The last she needs is to have to play Nightingale to a dangerous kingpin. What if he dies on her? Or worse; what if he doesn’t?

AMAZON 

For years there was nothing in my life but darkness and thirst for revenge, whatever the personal cost. Nothing else mattered. Then you came waltzing into my bleak existence, with your quirks and your crazy hair and your lovely smiles, and you fucking blinded me. I should have let you go, but I couldn’t. I just fucking couldn’t, and now you are my priority. I will do whatever it takes to keep you safe.”

WARNING If you haven’t yet read Jacked Up, (1) you’re SERIOUSLY missing out and (2) do NOT read my review. Seriously. Take your curious little nose the other way and step away. Then run to Amazon to one click Jacked Up. You’ll thank me. Trust me.

And if you HAVE read Jacked Up, then you’ve been just as antsy as I have to get your grabby little hands on Nico. This wasn’t a character that Elle had originally planned on writing a book for, and man am I happy that she decided to, because the man totally stole both my heart and my ovaries even when I thought he was a baddie to beat all baddies.

This shit was killing his soul. Whatever small part was still left, it was not going to survive this.

In deep cover, infiltrating the worst of the worst, Nico is finally in a position to bring down the cartel he’s dedicated his life to destroying. But Nico is no one’s hero. The life he’s led has left a permanent stain on his soul. A stain so dark, he doesn’t think he’ll ever be clean of it. He’s not exactly surprised to find himself bleeding out on the street after an attempt on his life. What he doesn’t expect is his savior…

Her facade was so brazen, a deliberate act to distract everyone from her aching vulnerability. All smoke and mirrors.

Paige is no wilting wallflower. But behind her tattoos and piercings are hidden scars of past mistakes she’s trying to outrun. The one one her facade doesn’t work on is the head of a ruthless cartel and the man she has an inexplicable connection to. When she finds him bleeding to death in his car, she knows she’ll stop at nothing to help him. But are their scars too deep to heal and ultimately be their destruction?

This is why I didn’t want you here. Because you are unraveling me piece by piece, and I fucking hate it.”
“If you hate it so much, why are you here?”
“Because I can’t stay away. Because I can’t fucking breathe without you. Because nothing’s worth a damn if I don’t have you. Because I’ve fucking lost my mind.”

In just under 200 pages, this book packed so much depth and feeling. I wish I can say I was surprised, but I don’t expect anything less from Elle Aycart. After not so patiently waiting for Nico and Paige’s book, I can say the wait was worth it. Ever since they met in Jacked Up, you could feel a sizzle between them. That sizzle turned into scorching passion in this book. The novella is eloquently titled, because both are characters with their individual hard limits that get shattered at the hands of the other one. Man but I loved watching them both demolish those.

Nico is everything I thought he’d be and more. He’s ruthless, deliciously dirty, protective and with a hidden vulnerability that you can’t help but fall for. Paige was the perfect second half to him. She’s not without her own demons, but she also doesn’t shy away from them. She owns them and has a steel core of strength that you can’t help but respect.

Hard Limits was an action packed ride that was equal parts spine tingling and toe curling. It was edge of your seat excitement with a romance that was just as deliciously sexy as it was emotional and satisfying. I loved every single page of it. We get a chance to catch up with all our past favorites, but Nico and Paige definitely steel the show. I adored seeing Nico’s vulnerable side come through more and more almost as much as I loved seeing Paige truly come into her own. It was perfection. Pure perfection. I’m addicted to this series and I can’t wait for more! I will never have enough Bowen Boys

READ THE SERIES IN ORDER

MORE THAN MEETS THE INK | HEAVY ISSUES | TO THE MAX | JACKED UP